We hope that browsing through our website will be an exciting and insightful journey for you. We have sought to package and provide information in the most user-friendly manner, spanning the political, economic, consular and immigration and tourism spheres. You will also find links to other websites that cover a multitude of interesting topics about South Africa and the numerous offerings we provide. Continue reading.

South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. The Government of South Africa declared August women’s month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day.

Women's Day 2015

Women’s month 2015 will celebrate women achievers and their participation in the economy. The theme for Women’s Day (9 August) is Women United in Moving South Africa Forward.

Basketball Without Borders:
NBA Africa Game 2015

Leading up to the NBA's first game in Africa on Aug. 1, NBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches will participate in the 13th edition of Basketball without Borders (BWB) Africa. The NBA and FIBA's global basketball development and community outreach program will take place July 29-Aug. 1 at the American International School of Johannesburg in South Africa.

The sold-out NBA Africa Game 2015 will take place at Ellis Park Arena and will air live in the United States on ESPN at 6 a.m. PT. The game supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages Association of South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Read more.

Exhibit: Kevin C. Gillespie:
A Series of Four Paintings Depicting Rhinos

Take Action! Inspire Change

Every year on 18 July — the day Nelson Mandela was born — the UN joins a call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to devote 67 minutes of time to helping others, as a way to mark Nelson Mandela International Day.

For 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa. Read more.

20 July 2015

Consul General Mathula Nkosi (with volunteers from the South African Consulate General, SA Tourism and the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations) heeded the call to "Take Action, Inpire Change!" by helping clean up the North Meadow Recreation Center in Central Park.

Staff at the South African Consulate General partnered with Central Park Conservancy and volunteered 67 minutes of their time to help clean up the Belvedere Castle in Central Park.

VOLUNTEERING IN MANHATTAN

Central Park Conservancy's Pitch In, Pick Up

Looking for ways to lend a hand on Nelson Mandela International Day?

With 843 acres and 40 million visitors, there's a lot that goes into maintaining New York City's "backyard." Every stray napkin and forgotten water bottle adds up. Central Park Conservancy needs your help, whether you have an hour or an afternoon, to pitch in and pick up. Spend meaningful time lending a hand in your community by helping Central Park Conservancy's staff in keeping the Park clean and green. For information please go to http://www.centralparknyc.org/…/volun…/pitch-in-pick-up.html

Briefing by Ernst & Young

An African Consuls-General briefing was held by Ernst & Young on its "Attractiveness Survey for Africa 2015" in New York City.

Celebration of Danny Schechter

Saturday, 27 June 2015 at 1:00 p.m.
Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South, New York , New York

BANKSETA International Executive Development Program with NYU Stern School of Business

17 June 2015

Visiting delegation from Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA) attending the International Executive Development Program at New York University's Stern School of Business from 15-25 June 2015.

First Conventional Vessel Shipments of South African Summer Citrus to the U.S.

Arriving Wednesday, 17 June 2015 are the first conventional vessel shipments of South African Summer Citrus to the U.S. (www.summercitrus.com )

The U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to extend the Africa Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA). Still to go before the U.S. Senate, it is expected that President Obama will sign the international treaty, as did his predecessors, Presidents Bush and Clinton.

Among the most successful programs of the AGOA trade agreement, South African Summer Citrus exports +/- 42,000 tons of easy peelers (clementines) Navel oranges, and Star Ruby Grapefruit to the U.S. from June through October, a time when domestic grown citrus is less available. Read full press release.

NB: South African Consulate General's Telephone Number

Please note that we are currently having technical difficulties with our telephone system. Our main number, (212) 213-4880, and fax machine (212) 213-0102 are temporarily not working.

In the interim, you may reach the South African Consulate General at (212) 692-2492. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

A Shared Interest Night with FreshlyGround

30 June 2015 at 8:00 p.m.
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
237 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

Join Shared Interest at B.B. King for a live performance by international Southern African sensations FreshlyGround for their New York portion of their highly anticipated North American tour. Use the special promo code "Shared" for special $20 discounted tickets including the performance and a cocktail during the exclusive meet and greet with the band! Tickets are limited.

GATEWAY TO KZN

South Africa ranked as most beautiful country in the world

Outeniqua Pass, Western Cape | Gateway to KZN

TravelGuru, a community writer for Buzzfeed has ranked South Africa as the most beautiful country in the world.

"This country sweeps international travel prizes and has travellers raving about its beauty so much that it has the highest repeat tourism of any long haul destination in the world! Considering how crazy people are about the place, it’s not surprising that South Africa takes the top spot in the beauty stakes." The travel writer wrote.

"That’s much of where it leaps ahead of other countries in terms of beauty. What’s better than a great sunset? A great sunset with giraffes or elephants in front!" Read full article.

NB: South African Consulate General's Telephone Number

Please note that we are currently having technical difficulties with our telephone system. The main number (212) 213-4880 is temporarily not working.

In the interim, you may reach the South African Consulate General at (212) 692-2492. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

South Africa's Bala Brothers set sights on U.S. music market

By Alicia Powell

With their mix of gospel and R&B songs, the classically trained Bala Brothers are stars at home in South Africa but Loyiso, Zwai and Phelo have set their sights on a new international audience and are planning a tour in the United States.

Growing up in Kwa-Nobuhle township outside Port Elizabeth, the brothers have been known at home since the eldest, Zwai, broke the color barrier of South Africa's famed Drakensberg Boys Choir by becoming its first black member in 1988. His siblings followed in his footsteps and the brothers eventually formed their own group, performing at the 2013 memorial concert for Nelson Mandela. Read full article.

Planning Underway for South African Summer Citrus 2015 Season

AGOA, Texas and Expansion Goals for US Program

Citrusdal, South Africa – May 1, 2015 – The Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum (WCCPF) conducted its annual planning sessions for the Summer Citrus export program to the US, with much of the discussion linked to the importance of the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA). Read full media release.

Address by Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to Ambassadors and High Commissioners from African Countries Accredited to South Africa in the Aftermath of Attacks Against Foreign Nationals in Parts of the Country

17 April 2015

We have invited you to join us this morning as we reflect on the sad and tragic events in some parts of our country characterised by violent attacks against some of the citizens of your countries.

In the new Constitution of this free and democratic South Africa, we made a promise to ourselves and to the world that we would remain committed to the values of human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms; non-racialism; non-sexism and the rule of law.

Furthermore, at the core of our foreign policy is the commitment we have made to ourselves and to you that we will always prioritise Africa in all our endeavours because we are an integral part of the African continent. Read full address.

Media Remarks by Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane Following Meeting with Ambassadors and High Commissioners from African Countries Accredited to South Africa in the Aftermath of Attacks against Foreign Nationals in Parts of the Country

17 April 2015

We invited members of the diplomatic community accredited to South Africa, in particular African Heads of Mission, to assure them of our Government’s commitment to maintaining peaceful co-existence between South African citizens and others nationals who live in South Africa.

We said to the African Heads of Mission that the violent attacks against foreign nationals in some parts of the provinces of KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng are despicable and that the South African Government condemns them in the strongest terms possible. Read full remarks.

Statement by President Jacob Zuma to the National Assembly on the Violence in Kwazulu-Natal Directed at Foreign Nationals

16 April 2015

During the past week we have witnessed shocking and unacceptable incidents of violence directed at foreign nationals in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal, which has now spread to some parts of Gauteng. Similar incidents had taken place in Soweto in January.

No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops. Read full statement.

Pharell Williams sets Twitter ablaze, announces he is headed to South Africa

Multi winning song writer, producer and singer, Pharell Williams is headed to South Africa. Read full story.

Boston Roundtable for Sport and Peace:
Building Bridges from Cape Town to Boston

10 April 2015
State House, Boston Massachusetts

Building on the 1st Cape Town Sport and Peace Conference held on the occasion of the Cape Town, South Africa Marathon and World Peace Day in 2014, the first Boston Roundtable for Sport and Peace is dedicated to promoting awareness and visibility of sport as a means of building peace within communities, and for youth more specifically. Shown above left to right, Mr. Gert C. Oosthuizen, Republic of South Africa's Deputy Minister of of Sport and Recreation with Consul Bernard Legodi.

Courtesy Call by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism of the Western Cape

10 April 2015

Left to right: Ms. Olivia Dyers and Ms. Bianca Mpahlaza-Schiff of the Department of Economic Development & Tourism of the Western Cape, with Consul General Mathula Nkosi and Consul Lebogang Mokwena.

South African Consulate General in New York Mourns the Death of Mr. Danny Schechter

2 April 2015

The South African Consulate General in New York was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Danny Schechter, a human rights activist, a journalist and film maker, on 19 March 2015, at age 72.

Mr Danny Schechter made a mark with his tireless and selfless efforts in the fight for a democratic and free South Africa. Until his death, Mr. Schechter remained a supporter of the democratic South Africa, in both New York and in South Africa.

The South African Consulate General extends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Schechter in this moment of sadness and grief.

Transnet to roll out new locomotives in July, says CEO

TRANSNET will roll out new locomotives in July after General Electric (GE) completes its technical design, CEO Brian Molefe said on Monday. Read full article.

South Africa Reviews Yellow Fever Requirements

Travelers from Zambia, Tanzania, Eritrea, Sao Tome and Principe will no longer be required to produce proof of the yellow fever certificate when coming to South Africa after they were included on the World Health Organization low risk yellow fever countries list. During the 136th session of the WHO Executive Board meeting, a review of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination was conducted and based on the recommendations of the meeting, all travelers arriving into the country from above mentioned countries will NOT be required to produce proof of vaccination against yellow fever. Read more.

Issued by the Ministry of Health
Date: 3 February 2015

Ambassador Mahlangu presents credentials to
President Barack Obama

23 February 2015

South Africa’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the United States of America, H.E. Ambassador Mninwa Mahlangu, presented his credentials to President Barack Obama during a ceremony held at the White House on Monday, 23 February 2015.

The ceremony served to reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to consolidate the existing cordial relations with the United States of America.

Budget Speech

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene will table the 2015 Budget in Parliament on Wednesday, 25 February 2015.

Panel Discussion with Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela

Wednesday, 18 February 2015, 12:15 pm
Queens College

Two of South Africa’s true freedom fighters and musical activists – legendary trumpeter, vocalist and composer Hugh Masekela, and vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Vusi Mahlasela – have joined forces on the 20 Years Of Freedom Tour. They will discuss the effects that the harsh political climate in South Africa had on their music, and South African music in general – and how music can uplift and raise social and political awareness. South Africa’s “struggle songs” portray the hardships and joys of living in apartheid–era South Africa.This music connects the old South Africa of discrimination and separation with the new promise for a better future and reconciliation.

The panel discussion will take place on Wednesday, 18 February 2015 at 12:15 p.m. on the campus of Queens College.

The Kupferberg Center for the Arts and Queens College are delighted to welcome Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela for a concert at LeFrak Concert Hall on Wednesday, February 18th at 7:30 p.m. as a part of the College’s Year of South Africa program. As two of South Africa’s true freedom fighters and renowned musical icons, they will come together to honor twenty years since the start of democracy in South Africa and the official end of Apartheid.

Zip Zap Circus

Meet the amazing artists and teachers from the Zip Zap School of Circus Arts for Social Change in Cape Town, South Africa. Direct from standing-room-only performances with Cirque Phenix in Paris, José do Rego and Jacobus “Trompie” Claassen will share Gold -Clown winning talent and the magic of Zip Zap’s pioneering social circus programming.

Since its founding in 1992 in Cape Town, South Africa, The Zip Zap School of Circus Arts for Social Change has used the magic of circus to inspire young people and help build a new culture of peaceful coexistence in South Africa. Working with a diverse community of children from all backgrounds, Zip Zap’s programs help kids “Dare to Dream” and learn to make those dreams a reality. Zip Zap programs are always free to the participants, with financial and material support coming from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations.

The CCDI, a not for profit company based in the beautiful Western Cape province
of South Africa, assists the craft and design sector with business, product and market
support. The layered social histories and rich cultural life of the region are reflected
in the diverse styles of product, from edgy and eclectic to ethnic and African safari
to urban contemporary, sophisticated, organic, and romantic.

Starfish Greathearts Foundation USA's
10th Anniversary Gala

The Starfish Greathearts Foundation USA (Starfish USA) will host its 10th Anniversary Gala to celebrate milestones achieved to annually support over 16,000 children in 35 communities to provide education, healthcare and child protection services. Join us for a fun night of African music, South African wine and bid on fabulous silent and live auction items to support a great cause.

Featured at the live auction will be renowned South African artists Greg Anderson, James Delaney, Benjamin Mitchley and Richard Scott, who have donated their artwork to support Starfish USA.

Guests also can bid on a magical trip to South Africa with luxury accommodations at Tanda Tula Safari Lodge, Ten Bompas Hotel in Johannesburg and Samara Karoo Lodge in the Eastern Cape. Winners of this auction prize will be treated to a private lunch at Mooiplaas wine estate and private nature reserve in Stellenbosch.

The Yearbook is not just as a reference work but as a record of the strides South Africa
made in the political term from 2009 to 2014.

This Yearbook documents the tremendous
change and progress South Africa has experienced
in the past five years as government and the nation focused on the priorities
of employment; the fight against crime
and corruption; health, education as well as
rural development and land reform.

An Evening with Mike Tolkin and Neil McMillan

Wednesday, 21 January 2015, from 6:30 p.m.
295 Madison Avenue, 47th Floor
New York City

Kick off the 2015 rugby season with the New York Rugby Business Network and U.S. Head Coach Mike Tolkin as he re-caps the 2014 season including the New Zealand Match and talks about the upcoming 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Former professional rugby player Neil McMillan will also be on hand to provide insight on life as a pro and how he made the transition from player to business entrepreneur as Co-founder of City Athlete. Register to attend the event.

NB: Notice of Office Closure

Please note that the South African Consulate General will be closed to the public

on 24, 25 and 26 December 2014 and will resume
normal operations
on 29 and 30 December 2014, and

on 31 December 2014 through 2 January 2015.
Normal operations will resume on 5 January 2015.

EMERGENCY NUMBER

The emergency number-- (917) 200-8396 -- is for South Africans in distress during natural disasters such as tornadoes, tsunamis, etc. You may call this number only if you are in an emergency situation during non-working hours (i.e. between 5:00 pm and 9:00 am).

Visit to the South African Consulate General by P.S. 327 Students

18 December 2014

Umoja USA Tour

Special discounted price for the South African community. For information on how to avail the discount, please contact Sduduzo Ka-Mbili at sduduzo@wbai.org.

Global Traveler Magazine names South African Airways as Best Airline in Region for 11th Consecutive Year

16 December 2014

South African Airways (SAA) has been, for the 11th consecutive year, honored by Global Traveler Magazine, as “Best Airline in Africa” in the magazine’s annual GT Tested Reader’s survey. The magazine presented the award to SAA at its award ceremony held on 15 December 2014 at the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. SAA was recognized by Global Traveler readers for its consistently high service that keeps it in the world-class category and best in the region year after year. SAA also received honorable mention in this year’s survey for “Best Airline for Onboard Service,” “Best Flight Attendants” and “Best Airport Lounge.” Read full story.

Miss South Africa crowned Miss World

By Robin Millard
14 December 2014

Miss South Africa, 22-year-old Rolene Strauss, was crowned Miss World 2014 at the contest's glitzy final in London on Sunday, with an estimated billion viewers watching on television around the globe. Read full story.

South Africa.info

SMA Solar opens state-of-the-art factory in Cape Town

11 December 2014

A multimillion-rand manufacturing facility will be opened in Cape Town by SMA Solar Technology, a German manufacturer of solar inverters, on Friday, 12 December.

The facility includes a production line and quality test center for SMA's Sunny Central inverters, warehousing, as well as the African branch of the SMA Solar Academy training center.

This is the third renewable energy manufacturing facility, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to open in the country in the past four months. Read more.

The South African

Wouter Kellerman nabs Grammy nomination for South Africa

South African flautist, Wouter Kellerman, has been nominated for a Grammy award for best new age album of the year. Kellerman’s album, Winds of Samsara was produced in collaboration with Indian composer, Ricky Kej.

The album started as a tribute to Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi but ended up featuring 120 musicians, recorded on five continents, as a collaboration between South Africa and India. Read more.

5 December 2014 marks the first anniversary of President Nelson Mandela’s passing. On this day, government, working hand-in-hand with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, will hold an official ceremony to remember Madiba.

All South Africans, and the world, are urged to keep his memory alive by living his values and continuing with efforts aimed at ensuring that all humanity lives in a society where peace, tolerance, the rule of law, justice and human rights form the cornerstone of our daily lives. On 5 December you can also share your memories on Twitter using the hashtag #RememberMandela or share your favorite Nelson Mandela moment on Facebook.

Permira Takes First African Step,
buys South African Data Firm

By Simon Clark
4 December 2014

Permira, one of Europe’s largest private-equity firms, is making its first African investment, agreeing to buy South Africa’s Teraco Data Environments, a manager of data centers, for an undisclosed amount.

Permira joins U.S. rivals including KKR & Co., Blackstone Group LP and Carlyle Group, which are expanding their operations in Africa. Read full story.

Sensational South Africa

By Catherine Dunwoody

Africa has been a bucket-list travel destination for generations - and its appeal comes naturally. The continent's Big Five species - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino - first earned their fame in the sights of hunters' rifles, then became photo targets for hordes of Land Rover-riders from around the world.

Africa's dramatic and exotic landscapes also draw global attention. And, although history has at times been unkind to the peoples of Africa, the strength of their cultures remains a powerful draw.

South Africa offers all of these travel lures. Expect to clock hours with plenty of planes, trains and automobiles if you do make the journey to the bottom of the continent. Read full story.

U.S. buyout firm Carlyle enters South Africa with tyre deal

By David Dolan

Carlyle Group has agreed to buy South African tyre retailer Tiger Automotive from Ethos Private Equity, Ethos said on Wednesday, the U.S. buyout firm's first deal in Africa's most developed economy.

Carlyle - like other private investors - has been targeting rapid economic growth and growing consumer spending in sub-Saharan Africa. Until now, the firm has focused its $700 million fund elsewhere on the continent. Read full story.

Steinhoff to Buy Pepkor for $5.7 Billion

Furniture retailer Steinhoff International Holdings Ltd. is acquiring fellow South African retailer Pepkor Holdings Proprietary Ltd. for 62.8 billion South African rand ($5.7 billion), as it aims to expand into markets for low-price furniture and garments across Europe and Africa. Read more.

South Africa opens its biggest solar plant

24 November 2014

The new 96 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar power project in South Africa's Northern Cape province is now online and will help the country meet its critical electricity needs.

The Jasper plant, near Kimberly, is the largest on the continent and can produce 180,000 megawatt-hours of energy a year for South African residents, enough to power up 80,000 homes.

The project was completed two months ahead of schedule and is fully operational, SolarReserve, the developer, announced on 11 November. Read full article.

African Diaspora Film Festival (ADIFF)
Film Showing: New York Premiere: Between Friends

Launch of the SOUTH AFRICA: 20 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY program presented in collaboration with the South African Department of Arts and Culture, the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa and the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission. Key note speaker Dr. Molefi Kete Asante.

VIP Reception at 6:00 pm. Keynote speaker and screening at 7:30 pm. Q&A with director Zuko Nodada after the screening.

South African Delegation to the 2014 International Emmys

21 November 2014

Orientation on South Africa

18 November 2014

Where are the world's best hotels?

By CNN Staff
12
November 2014

Global hotel booking site Agoda.com has just released the results of its Travel Smarts study, which looks at destinations with the highest-rated hotels in the world based on nearly 7 million customer reviews.

Overall, the site says Cape Town, South Africa, is number one, scoring an average of 8.43 out of a possible 10. Read full article.

A native of Johannesburg, Gaitate’s passions are embedded within the fashions of the world. From the tender age of 3, Gaitate was rooted with a creative nature encouraged by her parents and crèche teachers. Self-taught, she drew inspiration from cartoons, coloring books, magazines and actual people. Eventually she began honing her skill at the National School of the Arts High School in South Africa. Possessing an incredible eye for detail, Gaitate works through the braided mediums of pen, oil pastels, and acrylic, depicting South African natives in traditional attire. Seemingly decorative, once taken out of their original context and presented to an audience in the western hemisphere, her works offer a palate of potential for cross cultural dialogues and new meanings to take place.

-

7 Must-Have Experiences in South Africa

By Tausha Cowan
2 November 2014

South Africa is one of those places that, once visited, sticks to you long after you've left, leaving its mark in ways you had not anticipated. Whether it's the people, the culture, the scenery or some combination of all of the above, there is something about the country that compels you to want to explore more. Read full story.

Achilles International (South Africa)

South African Project Book Investment Opportunities

The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) was established in 2011 to develop a plan for the future development of infrastructure in the country. The National Infrastructure Plan was developed, with 18 Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) identified. These SIPs cover infrastructure needs in specific geographical areas, or focus on the development of a specific type of infrastructure across the whole country.

Major public infrastructure projects to the value of USD360 billion for implementation up to 2023 are under consideration. 79% of this value is in the electricity generation and transport sectors. Projects at the conceptual, pre-feasibility and feasibility stages represent 48% of the total in value terms.

Apart from the direct investment expected to be generated by the infrastructure projects themselves, these investments will be used as a springboard for the redevelopment of South Africa’s industrial base. As such, prospects for the local production of inputs into these projects are being investigated which will provide a myriad of opportunities for private investors. View full document (Acrobat).